2023 Kia Telluride vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim that gave the SUV a sporty appearance. This trim level included black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The seats were wrapped in water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather, available in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching. While the blacked-out treatment added a sporty look, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making it less comfortable on hot days. The Ascent Onyx Edition was priced at $37,995, with an optional package for an additional $2,000 that included a panoramic moonroof, a navigation system, and a cargo cover.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Telluride received fresh front and rear styling, updated headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs. The Telluride X-Line and X-Pro models replaced the Nightfall Edition, featuring raised suspensions, unique grille designs, and black 20-inch wheels for the X-Line, while the X-Pro had exclusive 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. The interior updates included a digital instrumentation panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, housed under a curved 24-inch piece of glass. The Telluride also offered new interior colors such as Terracotta, Navy, and Sage Green. Prices for the Telluride started at $35,690 for the LX with front-wheel drive and went up to $52,785 for the SX Prestige X-Pro with all-wheel drive.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ascent with 20-inch wheels had an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined, though our testing loop averaged 20.5 mpg. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and included Subaru’s X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. However, the lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies sometimes made the Ascent feel unstable.

The 2023 Kia Telluride retained its 3.8-liter V6 engine, generating 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Drivers could select from Eco, Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the AWD system offering a low-speed Lock setting. The Telluride X-Line averaged 24.1 mpg, while the X-Pro returned 20.4 mpg, including off-roading. The Telluride’s suspension was raised by 10mm, with ground clearance increased to 8.4 inches. The X-Pro model had an improved cooling system, bumping towing capacity to 5,500 pounds. The Telluride performed well off-road and provided a smooth, quiet ride on highways, though the all-terrain tires made it feel a bit squishier in turns.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, though the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy, thanks to wide rear doors that opened nearly 90 degrees. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down.

The 2023 Kia Telluride accommodated seven or eight passengers, with premium Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front- and second-row captain’s chairs. The second row featured manual side-window sunshades, adjustable inboard armrests, USB ports, and storage pockets. The third-row seat was more comfortable than in some midsize SUVs, though not as spacious as the Volkswagen Atlas. The Telluride offered a “smart” power tailgate with proximity-sensing and an automatic closing function. Cargo space included 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded down.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system’s voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition’s standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features for the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2023 Kia Telluride featured a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and Kia Connect services. The system passed voice recognition tests with ease, though it did not accept climate control commands. The Telluride included six USB charging ports, Driver Talk, Quiet Mode, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, wireless smartphone charging, and digital-key technology. The Telluride also offered a Full Display Mirror, a head-up display, and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight’s performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, reverse automatic braking, and a Starlink Safety and Security subscription plan.

The 2023 Kia Telluride offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning system, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, Safe Exit Assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Telluride also included Highway Drive Assist 1.5, with Highway Drive Assist 2.0 available on higher trims. Additional features included front parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking while parking, a surround-view camera, Blind-Spot View Monitor, automatic high-beam headlights, driver attention warning, and a Rear Occupant Alert system.